Needles and Pins Aerospace, a female-led, family-owned industrial textiles manufacturer based in Somerton, Somerset, has officially unveiled its expanded production facility. The upgrade highlights a major milestone in the company’s rapid growth and underscores the strength and innovation of advanced manufacturing in rural Somerset.
The Somerton Business Park headquarters hosted key figures from the aviation and defence sectors, along with staff, customers, and suppliers, to celebrate Needles and Pins Aerospace’s achievements and ambitious future plans.
Director Carole Champion, leading the ceremony, cut through an orange ribbon – the company’s distinctive brand color – using the very scissors that cut the first piece of material back in July 2018. The business is owned by recently retired general manager Jean Spearpoint.
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Carole Champion stated, “This is a proud and significant moment in our journey. It’s a celebration of our incredible team, the unwavering support of our customers and suppliers, and a clear statement of our confidence in the future. With renewed focus on defence and British manufacturing, the opportunities ahead are truly exciting.”
Her son, Dillon Harmon, Chief Operating Officer, also addressed attendees, reflecting on the company’s impressive growth and sharing detailed plans to invest further in personnel, technology, and processes.
Needles and Pins Aerospace specialises in the design, manufacture, and repair of bespoke protective covers, acoustic insulation, and soft interior fittings for both military and civilian aircraft. Notably, it is the first standalone UK textile manufacturer to achieve AS9110 certification, positioning it as a vital player in the UK aerospace supply chain and opening doors to new opportunities.
The company maintains longstanding partnerships with Boeing Defence UK, providing specialist ground support equipment and soft-trim interiors for British forces' Chinook helicopters, as well as with Leonardo, where it began repairing advanced aerospace fabrics.
In the past year, the business has increased its workforce by 25%, with plans to add another 25% by the end of 2025. This growth includes the introduction of two apprenticeship roles aimed at nurturing skills development in rural Somerset.
Among the distinguished guests was Steve Burnell, Managing Director of Boeing Defence UK, who commented, “At Boeing, we are committed to strengthening the UK aerospace industry by investing in local talent and fostering partnerships with innovative SMEs like Needles and Pins Aerospace. We’re delighted to share in this milestone and support their continued growth.”
With enhanced capacity, new hires, and expanding opportunities, Needles and Pins Aerospace is demonstrating that rural Somerset can deliver world-class capabilities, remaining an integral part of the UK’s high-performance aerospace and defence sector.